Childhood sexual abuse, relationship satisfaction, and sexual risk taking in a community sample of women

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been proposed to influence both women's adult sexual risk behaviors and the quality of their intimate relationships. Among a household sample of women (n = 732), good fit was obtained for a model in which CSA predicted Wave 1 male partner sexual risk and aggression characteristics, resulting in lower relationship satisfaction, and ultimately in higher numbers of Wave 2 sexual partners. The model was generally replicated among women who entered new relationships at Waves 2 and 3. Partner sexual risk characteristics also were associated with women's risk of sexually transmitted infection from current partner. Elevated sexual risk behaviors among CSA survivors reflect difficulty in establishing stable and safe relationships and may be reduced by interventions aimed at improving intimate relationships.     

Effect of foot bathing on distal-proximal skin temperature gradient in elders

Increased distal (foot)-proximal (abdominal) skin temperature gradient (DPG) has been associated with better sleep initiation. Warm foot bath can affect distal skin temperature to change DPG. However, the optimum water temperature and duration necessary to raise DPG has not been established. This study explored the effects of 1-h foot bathing at two water temperatures of 40 and 41 degrees C, respectively, on DPG in Taiwanese elders (n=6, ages 60-73 years). Each subject's feet and legs were immersed in a temperature-controlled water tub to 20 cm above the ankles for 60 min in each of two water temperatures. Oral, abdominal, and foot temperatures were taken during (at 10-min intervals), and after (at 1-min intervals) foot bathing. DPG was calculated by subtracting abdominal temperature from foot temperature. Results showed the value of DPG was significantly increased in the 10th min bathing at both water temperatures and maintained above 0 degrees C. DPG gradually declined after bathing at both water temperatures. The value of DPG with 41 degrees C water was slightly higher than 40 degrees C. All subjects tolerated both bathing temperatures well for 1h. Both 40 and 41 degrees C foot bathing for 1h can increase the DPG and may be an effective way to affect whole body skin blood flow and trigger heat dissipation.     

Green tea polyphenol-induced epidermal keratinocyte differentiation is associated with coordinated expression of p57/KIP2 and caspase 14

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol in green tea, exerts chemopreventive effects by selectively inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. In contrast, EGCG accelerates terminal differentiation in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) mediated partially by up-regulation of p57/KIP2, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that confers growth arrest and differentiation. However, it is unclear if EGCG modulates caspase 14, a unique regulator of epithelial cell terminal differentiation associated with cornification. Here, we examined the effect of EGCG on caspase 14 expression in NHEK and correlated the protein and mRNA expression of p57/KIP2 with those of caspase 14 in either normal keratinocytes or p57/KIP2-expressing tumor cells (OSC2, an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line). Additionally, paraffin-embedded normal and untreated psoriatic (aberrant keratinization) skin sections from humans were assessed for caspase 14 by immunohistochemistry. In NHEK, EGCG induced the expression of caspase 14 mRNA and protein levels within a 24-h period. The expression of p57/KIP2 in OSC2 cells was adequate to induce caspase 14 in the absence of EGCG; this induction of caspase 14 was down-regulated by transforming growth factor-beta1. In human psoriatic skin samples, caspase 14 staining in the upper epidermis was reduced, especially in nuclear areas. These results suggest that, in addition to p57/KIP2, EGCG-induced terminal differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes involves up-regulation of caspase 14. Further understanding of how EGCG modulates cellular differentiation may be useful in developing green tea preparations for selected clinical applications.     

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated [3H]dopamine release from hippocampus

The mechanism of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-induced hippocampal dopamine (DA) release was investigated using rat hippocampal slices. nAChRs involved in hippocampal DA and norepinephrine (NE) release were investigated using prototypical agonists and antagonists and several relatively novel compounds: ABT-594 [(R)-5-(2-azetidinylmethoxy)-2-chloropyridine], (+/-)-UB-165 [(2-chloro-5-pyridyl)-9-azabicyclo [4.2.1]non2-ene], and MG 624 [N,N,N-triethyl-2-[4-(2 phenylethenyl)phenoxy]-ethanaminium iodine]. (+/-)-Epibatidine, (+/-)-UB-165, anatoxin-a, ABT-594, (-)-nicotine, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium iodide, and (-)-cytisine (in decreasing order of potency) evoked [(3)H]DA release in a mecamylamine-sensitive manner. Aside from (+/-)-UB-165, all the agonists displayed full efficacy relative to 100 microM (-)-nicotine in [(3)H]DA release. In contrast, (+/-)-UB-165 was a partial agonist, evoking 58% of 100 microM (-)-nicotine response. Mecamylamine, MG 624, hexamethonium, d-tubocurare, and dihydro-beta-erythroidine (in decreasing order of potency), but not alpha-conotoxin-MII, methyllycaconitine, alpha-conotoxin-ImI, or alpha-bungarotoxin, attenuated 100 microM (-)-nicotine-evoked [(3)H]DA release in a concentration-dependent manner. (+/-)-UB-165, ABT-594, and MG 624 exhibited different pharmacologic profiles in the [(3)H]NE release assay when compared with their effect on [(3)H]DA release. ABT-594 was 4.5-fold more potent, and (+/-)-UB-165 was a full agonist in contrast to its partial agonism in [(3)H]DA release. MG 624 potently and completely blocked NE release evoked by 100 microM (-)-nicotine and 10 microM (+/-)-UB-165, whereas it only partially inhibited (-)-nicotine-evoked [(3)H]DA release. In conclusion, we provide evidence that [(3)H]DA can be evoked from the hippocampus and that the pharmacologic profile for nAChR-evoked hippocampal [(3)H]DA release suggests the involvement of alpha3beta4(*) and at least one other nAChR subtype, thus distinguishing it from that of nAChR-evoked hippocampal [(3)H]NE release.     

Time in mind

Streamlining care can reduce morbidity and mortality from stroke. Nurses in Merseyside have organised services so that patients with suspected stroke are fast-tracked through the system.     

Can you read the emotional radar?

Emotional intelligence means that your instinct picks up what is happening to those around you. And it is a skill that can be learned, provided you have the time and inclination.